Crowdfunding for a Good Cause

Tuxedo Mae is set to arrive at Chattahoochee Elementary in late September.

Gwinnett School Uses Social Media to Launch Specialty Program

Word of mouth is a powerful tool. It can become an unstoppable force when coupled with today”s social networking capabilities. Crowdfunding sites like Kickstarter, Indiegogo and Razoo help individuals raise money for causes they believe to be worthy of the public”s attention. Such campaigns are often a success, especially when there”s a good heart behind the cause.

Chattahoochee Elementary Teachers Katie Brice and Anne-Lise Botting had no trouble convincing the public of their Indiegogo campaign”s merit. “Pawsitivity: Learning With My Best Friend” sought to raise $3,900 for therapy dog training to help Chattahoochee students with autism and emotional and behavioral disorders.

Within several weeks, donations poured in from all over the world. With an abundance of funding, the teachers accomplished their goal. “Tuxedo Mae” – a goldendoodle named by Chattahoochee students – is set to arrive at the school in late September. It”s all thanks to those who saw the need and contributed to the teachers” online campaign.

Botting said she and Brice started the campaign after failing to secure grant funding. “I took a break from all that and said, “OK, let”s try crowdfunding,”” Botting said. “We reached our goal quickly. It happened so fast. The support we got was amazing.”